Optical disc media container and marketing method

ABSTRACT

An optical disc media book container that includes a surrounding transparent film that protects advertising labels disposed over the front and rear surfaces of the book container and one or more advertising insert members placed over the front and rear surfaces of the book container and inside the film. Each insert member includes an upper tab section that extends upward from the upper edge of the book container. When the book container is placed upright on a shelf, the tab is visible to a customer. Printed on the tab is advertising or promotional indicia. In the preferred embodiment, the insert member is designed to be selectively removed from the book container by the customer and may be used in a promotional scheme offered by the distributor or seller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/774,926 filed on Feb. 16, 2006.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to marketing devices and methods, and more particularly to such devices and methods used with optical disc media.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, video games and movie manufactures have began distributing DVD discs in rigid book style containers, hereinafter called a book container. The book container is commonly made of black plastic with an integrally formed hinge between a front leaf and a back leaf. Formed on the inside surface of the back leaf of the rigid container is a circular, recessed cavity designed to receive a standard CD or DVD disc. Formed centrally on the rigid container may be an upward extending peg designed to extend into the disc's spindle hole when the disc is placed within the recessed cavity.

Game and movie DVD manufacturers typically place an outer advertisement label around the front and rear surfaces of the front and rear leafs of the book container. A transparent layer of plastic film is placed over the advertisement label to protect it. The upper edge of the plastic film is normally detached from the book container so that the film folds and tightens when the book container is opened or closed.

When sold in a retail store, DVD's are often displayed in alphabetically order by title in a vertical alignment on a shelf. Often, only the back or spine of the book container is seen.

What is needed is a new method of advertising with DVD's that is compatible with current DVD marketing techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new advertising device and method of advertising designed to be used with an optical disc media.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new advertising device method of advertising that uses a book container commonly used in the optical disc media industry.

These and other objects are met by an advertising device that includes an optical disc media book container with a transparent film that protects advertising labels disposed over the front and rear surfaces of the book container. Placed over the front and rear surfaces of the book container and inside the film is one or more insert members with advertising indicia printed thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the insert member is an elongated structure with a thin upper tab section that extends upward through the upper opening formed between the film and the adjacent leaf surface. When the book container is placed upright on a shelf, the tab extends above the upper edge of the book container so its unable to a potential buyer or renter. In the preferred embodiment, the insert member is designed to be selectively removed from the book container by the customer and may be used in a promotional scheme offered by the distributor or seller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a book container for an optical disc with an outer film extended over the front and rear surfaces with two insert members placed inside the films on the front and rear leafs.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an unfolded book container showing the front and rear leafs in an open position with insert members placed over each leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the FIGS. there is shown and described herein is an optical disc media container 10 and marketing method that uses an optical disc media book container 15 that includes surrounding transparent film 32 that protects advertising labels 21, 23 disposed over the front surface 17 and rear surface 19, respectively, of the book container 15. The film 32 is adhesively attached along its opposite vertical edges 28A, 28B to the outer edges 16A, 18A of the front leaf 16 and rear leaf 18, respectively. The upper edge 32A of the film 32 is detached thereby creating a continuous opening 33 to provide access into two pockets 34, 35 formed on each side of the leaf's 16, 18, respectively. Placed inside each pocket 34, 35 is an insert member 25 or 28. Each insert member 25, 28 include an upper tab section 26, 29 that extends upward from the upper edge 15A of the book container 15. When the book container 15 is placed upright on a shelf, the tab sections 26, 29 are visible to a customer. Printed on the tab sections 26, 29 is advertising indicia 27, 33, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the insert member 25, 28 is designed to be selectively removed by the customer and may be used in a promotional scheme offered by the distributor or seller.

Using the above-described device 10, a method of marketing optical disc media is also provided comprising the following steps:

a. selecting an optical disc media book container with a front leaf and a back leaf covered by a transparent film, said film being detached along its upper edge thereby forming two pockets on said book container, at least one insert member placed inside at least one pocket, said insert member including a tab section so that when said insert member is placed inside said pocket, said tab section is visible, said tab section including advertising indicia printed thereon;

b. selecting an optical disc media;

c. placing said optical disc media in said book container; and,

d. positioning said book container on a support surface so that said tab section extends above the upper edge of the book container and is visible.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. An optical disc container, comprising: a. a book container that includes a front leaf and a rear leaf, said rear leaf and a cavity formed therein for receiving an optical disc; b. a transparent film that covers the outer surfaces of said front leaf and said rear leaf of said book container, said film being detached from said book container along an upper edge thereby forming two pockets on said front leaf and said rear leaf; c. at least one elongated inserted into a pocket formed on said front or said rear, said insert including a tab section with advertising indicia printed thereon that extends above the upper edge of said book container; and, d. an optical disc media placed inside said recessed cavity.
 2. A method of marketing optical disc media comprising the following steps: a. selecting an optical disc media book container with a front leaf and a back leaf covered by a transparent film, said film being detached along its upper edge thereby forming two pockets on said book container, at least one insert member placed inside at least one pocket, said insert member including a tab section so that when said insert member is placed inside said pocket, said tab section is visible, said tab section including advertising indicia printed thereon; b. selecting an optical disc media; c. placing said optical disc media in said book container; and, positioning said book container on a support surface so that said tab section extends above the upper edge of the book container and is visible. 